The Museum of the Filipino People, Manila Philippines

The Museum of the Filipino People housed a vast collection of ancient things - paintings of the famous painters, archaeological treasures, origin and culture of the Filipinos and so much more.

Discover more, learn more and unveil the secrets of the past.

Why Visit Museums?

Museums have great collection of artifacts and ancient objects or things with cultural and historical importance to one country. It has also different galleries portraying past events and facts from ancient times, which is available for public viewing.

Most people especially teens hate to roam around museums. They said it was dull and boring and would rather hang-out in malls, bars and parks. Some would say they only visited this place because their projects/thesis requires them to.

But have you ever thought of learning something new out of the past? Didn’t you want to explore more, think more and feel the environment of ancient times?

I love museums. It makes me feel I've been there - on that time they used these things or made these carvings.

I love the fact that it housed the ancient remnants of history of our country's greatest leaders and heroes, as well as the timelines of our history.

You will see preserved archaeological things as well as the oldest jars used by our ancestors.

Before I started to tour you on different galleries, let's have a quick recap on this building:

The Museum of the Filipino People is a component or branch of the National Museum of the Philippines.

It houses the Anthropology and Archaeology Divisions and is located adjacent to the main National Museum building in Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila.

This building was renovated only in 2003 to transform it into the National Art Gallery of the National Museum.

It was originally designed as Public Library by Ralph Harrington Doane, an American Consulting Architect and his assistant Antonio Toledo.

The construction took some time to finish because of the lack of fund to continue. It was a part of Daniel Burnham's plan to develop the city of Manila and was inaugurated on July 16, 1926.

THE MUSEUM OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE GALLERIES

The San Diego Wreck-site Gallery

This gallery depicts the wreck site of the Spanish Ship San Diego and its artifacts. The traces of collision between San Diego and the Dutch Ship "Mauritius" on December 14, 1600 on the shores of Nasugbu, Batangas can be seen in this gallery.

San Diego is a Spanish trading ship or galleon built in Cebu City by European Builders, and was originally known as "San Antonio", that sank off the coast of Luzon in 1600. The gallery showed how the artifacts appeared when discovered by archaeologist 54 meters underwater.

Treasures also were retrieved from the ill-fated ship like porcelains, jewellery, tablewares, silvers and silver coins, jars and pottery.

The Origin Gallery (Pinagmulan)

This is one of the best galleries, showcasing the information on the origin of the Philippine Island as well as Filipinos. There are interactive displays, hands-on gadgets which you can really use to make the tour more meaningful.

Archaeological Treasures Gallery (Kaban ng Lahi)

This gallery portrays the burial practices of our ancestors. It shows burial jars as well as pottery that were retrieved from different caves. There were also jars shaped as human and with different facial expressions.

The Filipino Today Gallery (Kinahinatnan)

The gallery showcased the diversity of culture that is truly Filipino.

This exhibit is divided into 4 sections: The Filipino People, The Ecological Zones, The National Treasures and The National Living Treasures.

This gallery focuses on the material culture and environment - how they live, what do they use or do - of the different linguistic groups in our country.

There are a lot more to see in this Museum. The pictures are only one-eighth of the greatest things you can find on this treasured building.

It housed a vast collection of ancient things and information about the ancient times.

The tour itself is really enjoyable and fun, although make sure to be quite and follow the rules of the building.

It's sad to know that there are more people just sitting and walking around the park than on the building.

It is really good to visit Museums, uncover the facts, travel to the time of our ancestors, digging deeper on ancient culture and way of life and learning our history, hands-on!

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Comments 25 comments

unknown spy 4 years ago from Neverland - where children never grow up. Author

Hi Sammi!! thank you so much!

CloudExplorer 4 years ago from New York City

Awesome review Unknown Spy, I indeed like to visit museums like this, and also art galleries, and I enjoyed your write up as well as images very much. Thanks for sharing this useful information with us. Oh and I especially loved how you tiled them cool images.

It was very well presented and very well written as well, Bravo!

Thumbs up and getting shared for sure.

Vellur 4 years ago from Dubai

A great review of the Museum of the Filipino people. The museum has great stuff to see. Great images, enjoyed reading and voted up.

midget38 4 years ago from Singapore

This is such a great review, Myz!! And well researched. History is one of my favorite subjects, and I'll share this as well!! It's ok to share on the community page, you're most welcome!

aviannovice 4 years ago from Stillwater, OK

This sounds like a fantastic place, Mycee. Maybe one day I will get to go to Manila and see all the wonderful sights. We have great museums here in the US, too. The most notable is probably the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. It is HUGE. Thanks so much for sharing some of your life with us.

kashmir56 4 years ago from Massachusetts

Hi my friend great review of the Museum of the Filipino people, sound like a great thing to see and learn more about the Filipino people. Well done ! Vote up and more !!! SHARING !

rcrumple 4 years ago from Kentucky

Myz - Really a nice and informative hub. Question: Do the burial jars hold the cremated remains or are they simply a demonstration of respect for the departed? Just curious. Great job!

teaches12345 4 years ago

It looks like a place I could spend hours just sitting and reflecting on the different art forms. Thanks for detailing the museum and its art work. Great photos.

Maradona 4 years ago

Like this place to visit :)

viewfinders 4 years ago from God's own country(kerala)

thanks for sharing this interesting article. it will really useful to understand and see the filippino culture without visiting the museum.voted up and sharing.

Esther Earl 4 years ago

Unknown your writings always interest me! You brought back my interest in history and arts..love this article review.

Mhatter99 4 years ago from San Francisco

Thank you for the tour and insights.

fpherj48 4 years ago from Beautiful Upstate New York

Love to visit museums!! of all kinds. It's always fun to seek them out in any new place we visit. Always interesting and educational, a great way to spend an afternoon. Thank you for this intriguing info, spy!!...UP++

agusfanani 4 years ago from Indonesia

It's an interesting review about museum. People should love museum since it is a place where people can learn about history in fun and interesting ways.

Sueswan 4 years ago

Hi Myz

Thank you. I enjoyed your tour of the Museum of the Filipino People. I like museums and lose track of time when I visit one.

Have a great day :)

oceansider 4 years ago

Great article about Filipino museums M.....You've written a very interesting article and the photos you have included have complimented your hub....and I didn't know about the ship the "San Diego" until just now....thanks, I have enjoyed reading....Hope you've been well, God bless you, Helen

Lipnancy 4 years ago from Hamburg, New York

Wow what beautiful pictures! If I were close, I would visit this museum for sure.

unknown spy 4 years ago from Neverland - where children never grow up. Author

M, take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends!, Love, Helen

unknown spy 4 years ago from Neverland - where children never grow up. Author

Hi Helen, happy thanksgiving to your family as well. Hugsss M.

vespawoolf 4 years ago from Peru, South America

I also enjoy museums and this one sounds fascinating! Thank you for breaking it down by area. I really enjoyed this review and feel like I just visited the museum. : )

bravewarrior 4 years ago from Central Florida

What history! Beautiful, Spy! I spent my younger years in Philadelphia, PA. Philly is one of the earliest colonized states in the USA. There is so much history there and in the surrounding areas. School field trips were amazing. There was so much history to be seen. I'd much rather witness history than read about it!

Great hub and I see you're using your new camera! :-)

unknown spy 4 years ago from Neverland - where children never grow up. Author

thank you so much vespawoolf.

unknown spy 4 years ago from Neverland - where children never grow up. Author

wished school fieldtrips were trips to historical places and not just malls and beaches.. thank you s much Sha. history is one amazing subject to learn.